BLESSED VIRGIN MARY PARISH CELEBRATES FIRST PRAZNYK OF THE SECOND CENTURY

October 1, 2023

BLESSED VIRGIN MARY PARISH CELEBRATES FIRST PRAZNYK OF THE SECOND CENTURY

BISHOP ANDRIY FETED AT 'BVM' ON OCCASION OF HIS BIRTHDAY

Blessed Virgin Mary Parish celebrated its first Parish Feast - "Praznyk" - as it moves into its second century of live and grace. The Ukrainian Catholic parish celebrated achieving its first century last year with several events and celebrations. The highlight was the Hierarchical Divine Liturgy and Gala Banquet in October 0f 2022. This year the Parish Feast of the Protection of the Mother of God landed on a Sunday which made it very convenient for many people to attend. And attend they did!

With numbers not seen since well before the Covid-19 years, parishioners and their guests participated in the Divine Liturgy led by Winnipeg's Auxiliary Bishop Andriy Rabiy and then attended the wonderful parish dinner in the church auditorium.

Bishop Andriy was joined at the Altar by Pastor Father Michael Kwiatkowski (Bishop-Elect of New Westminster) and Father Andrew Wach as well as altar servers who were thrilled to serve at their first Hierarchical liturgy - and did so brilliantly. The Macenko Memorial Male Choir, under the direction of Walter Zulak and Michael Ryczak, sang the responses with parishioner Simeon Rusnak singing the special propers of the feast day. Bishop Andriy preached a bilingual homily and also conducted a festal blessing of water at the end and even went on to bless everyone in the church. Although unfortunately not all came forward, a group photo was taken at the end.

At the Praznyk dinner prepared by the parish branch of the Ukrainian Catholic Women's League, the parish also celebrated Bishop Andriy's birthday that took place on October 1st! He jokingly mentioned that he had reached that age of "39 plus shipping and handling". The Ladies and the parish presented him with flowers and a gift basket and sang him a resounding Mnohaya Lita and Happy Birthday.

Several religious Sisters attended the day, as well as other clergy: Fr. Ivan Mostivsky and former Chancellor of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church in Canada, Rev. Taras Udod who brought greetings - including a special greeting from Metropolitan Ilarion for Bishop-elect Michael who will soon be ordained.

Just prior to the dinner, Bishop Andriy blessed the newly-installed commemorative plaque of gratitude to the many parishioners and friends of Blessed Virgin Mary Parish that so generously donated toward the parish during the 2022 Centenary Year. It was truly a joy-filled day that was blessed by the Lord and the goodwill and positive spirit of all the participants. May the Lord grant us many more such "parish family" gatherings.

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